Chapter 9 Sheet Metal Design

Chapter 9 - Objectives After completing this chapter, you will be able to Start the Autodesk Inventor sheet metal environment Modify settings for sheet metal design Create sheet metal parts Modify sheet metal parts to match design requirements Create sheet metal flat patterns Create drawing views of a sheet metal part

Sheet Metal Fabrication Sheet Metal Uses Enclosures Brackets Structures or Frames

Sheet Metal Fabrication Bend Tables L=A+B-x Construction L Unfolded Length A Length of folded face 1 B Length of folded face 2 x Adjustment from bend table Measurements A and B are to the intersection of the extended outer faces on either side of the bend. This intersection is used when the angle of the bend is less than or equal to 90 degrees.

Sheet Metal Fabrication Bend Tables L=A+B-x Construction L Unfolded Length A Length of folded face 1 B Length of folded face 2 x Adjustment from bend table Use these measurements when the bend angle is greater than 90 degrees. The measurements are parallel to the face, and tangent to the outer surface of the bend. The same formula is used to determine the unfolded length of the part.

Sheet Metal Parts Sheet Metal Design Methods Folded State Flat State Disjointed Solids Shelled Parts

Sheet Metal Parts Sheet Metal Part Template(s) Sheet Metal Environment Once you convert a part to sheet metal, you can’t change it back.

Sheet Metal Tools Sheet Metal Styles Stores sheet metal specific parameters of a part Multiple sheet metal styles can be included This should discuss the Sheet tab. Multiple K-factors and bend tables can be added to a style. One is the default method, but the others can be used on a per feature basis.

Sheet Metal Tools Sheet Metal Styles Bend Tab None Intersection Technical Note The ends of the bend are perpendicular to the bend centerline. The bend terminates at the first edge. Also bend and corner related parameters are default and most of them can be changed on a per feature basis. None Intersection Straight Line Arc

Sheet Metal Tools Sheet Metal Styles Corner Tab Round Square Tear Trim to Bend

Sheet Metal Tools Sheet Metal Face Extrudes a closed profile a distance equal to the sheet metal thickness Unfold Options Relief Options

Sheet Metal Tools Contour Flange Created from an open sketch profile Bends are added at sharp intersections

Sheet Metal Tools Flange Creates a sheet metal face and bend to an existing face Extends the full length of the selected edge Technical Note The standard flange construction technique is to create the flange such that the virtual intersection of the flange and the face is located at the selected edge. This method is used primarily when designing in the context of an assembly. If you are working directly in the part file, the Bend Tangent to Side Face button (located under the Bend Radius field) creates the flange such that the bend is tangent to the edge of the sheet metal face. Flange extends the full length of the selected edge, if not other options are selected at the “>>”. This is also valid for the features “Contour Flange” and “Hem” The “Bend Tangent to Side Face” button is important and useful, if the bend angle is greater than 90 degree

Exercise 9-1 Creating Sheet Metal Parts

Sheet Metal Tools Hem Eliminate sharp edges Strengthen an open edge of a face Material is folded back over a face with a small gap A gap is required because the kernel will merge faces that touch. A convenient way to specify a small gap is to create a User Parameter “o” and make it equal to a very small number (e.g., 0.00001) Single Double Teardrop Rolled

Exercise 9-2 Creating Hems

Sheet Metal Tools Fold Turns a flat pattern into a folded model Add folds at sketched lines The sketched line has to terminate on model edges.

Sheet Metal Tools Bend Child objects of other features When two faced connect Connect disjointed face The double bend options change depending on which edges are selected.

Exercise 9-3 Modifying Sheet Metal Parts

Sheet Metal Tools Cut Sheet Metal implementation of Extrude > Cut Distance of the cut is equal to the Thickness parameter Project Flat Pattern Cut Across Bend

Exercise 9-4 Cut Across Bend

Sheet Metal Tools Corner Seam Created when three faces meet Create mitered gaps between coplanar faces

Sheet Metal Tools Corner Round Sheet Metal specific Fillet tool Corner Chamfer – Sheet Metal specific Chamfer tool These tools filter for sheet metal edges, which makes it easier to pick them.

Sheet Metal Tools PunchTool Creates Cuts and 3D Deformations Dimples Louvers Punch Folder Applications Options > iFeature tab

Exercise 9-5 Punch Tool

Sheet Metal Tools Flat Pattern Represents the starting point for sheet metal part manufacturing Creates a 3D model of the unfolded part Displayed in a 2D drawing view Flat Pattern - Browser Technical Note The flat pattern analyzer assumes that cuts go straight through the part. Features like chamfers and embosses will not appear correctly in the flat unless they are placed as iFeatures.

Sheet Metal Tools Common Tools Work Features, Holes, Catalog Tools, Mirror and Feature Patterns, Promote, Derived Component, Parameters, Create iMate Similar to the part environment Technical Note Identical to the part environment. The part modeling tools can be used to create sheet metal features. For example, a tube can be constructed by extruding a hollow cylinder and cutting a slot.

Detailing Sheet Metal Designs 3D Model and Flat Patterns

Exercise 9-6 Documenting Sheet Metal Designs

Summary To Do This Create a sheet metal part Create a new part file using a Sheet Metal.ipt template file or click Sheet Metal on the Convert menu. Edit sheet metal styles Click the Styles tool on the Panel Bar or on the Sheet Metal Features toolbar. Create a sheet metal face Click the Face tool on the Panel Bar or on the Sheet Metal Features toolbar. Create a sheet metal flange Click the Flange tool on the Panel Bar or on the Sheet Metal Features toolbar. Create a sheet metal bend Click the Bend tool on the Panel Bar or on the Sheet Metal Features toolbar. Create a sheet metal corner seam Click the Corner Seam tool on the Panel Bar or on the Sheet Metal Features toolbar. Create a sheet metal flat pattern model Click the Flat Pattern tool on the Sheet Metal Features Panel Bar or on the Sheet Metal Features toolbar. Create a flat pattern drawing view Click the Base View tool on the Panel Bar or on the Drawing Views toolbar and choose Flat Pattern from the Sheet Metal View: droplist.

Applying Your Skills Skill Exercise 9-1